Once widespread across southern Australia, the Red-tailed Phascogale's population has drastically declined due to habitat loss, predation by introduced species like cats and foxes, and changes in fire regimes. By the early 20th century, these threats had decimated the species to a small area in Western Australia. In partnership with the South Australian Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and, in an innovative approach, the project will establish captive-bred Red-tailed Phascogales in the unfenced GRNP habitat.
Securing the future Red-tailed Phascogale (Kengoor)
Gawler Ranges National Park
EPBC:
VulnerableIUCN:
VulnerableThreats:
Project Location:
Gawler Ranges National Park (GRNP), SA
The Project
The first stage of this project, milestone one, includes captive breeding and animal releases in the southern GRNP, and extensive post-release monitoring. Key activities will involve securing and transporting animals to the release site, radio-tracking, trapping, and providing secure and safe havens through aviaries and nest boxes to give them the best chance of establishing a self-sustaining population.
The quoll's younger cousin, the Kengoor, or Red-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura) is a small, tree-dwelling hunter previously found across much of Australia’s arid woodland from Western Australia and South Australia through to New South Wales. Featuring a rusty red tail longer than the rest of its body, the Red-tailed Phascogale weighs about the same as a chicken egg and preys on a variety of insects, spiders and small birds. They are incredibly agile and elusive creatures, and will be important additions to our work restoring the region’s biodiversity.
Photo Credits: Michael J Barritt, Tessa Manning and Department of Environment and Water (DEW)
Our Partners
This project is in partnership with the South Australian Department of Environment and Water and builds onto the important and successful conservation work undertaken in the Flinders Ranges and Gammon Ranges with the Western Quoll and Brush-tail Possum. The overall aim of these projects is to create safe havens for endemic species without fencing.
Follow our cause in saving Australia's endangered wildlife, and receive newsletter updates on the Securing the future of the Red-tailed Phascogale (Kengoor) and other projects and successes.